NEWS
N35,000 Wage Discussions Commence Between Govs, Labour
State governors are preparing to engage with labor unions in their respective states regarding the demand for an upward salary review.
Initiating discussions with labor leaders, some governors, including those from Niger, Katsina, Gombe, Osun, and others, aim to develop mutually agreeable plans and proposals concerning the wage increase endorsed by President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile Private sector entities have rejected the possibility of implementing additional allowances for employees in response to the Federal Government’s recent decision to raise civil servants’ wages by N35,000.
BIZTELLERS reports that under the agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, the Federal Government has approved a wage increase of N35,000 for all its workers starting from September, pending the enactment of a new national minimum wage.
This decision, formalized during a meeting on October 1 between the FG and labor leaders, outlines a six-month duration for the wage award to federal workers, with a recommendation for states to extend a similar benefit to their employees.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, emphasized that negotiations at the state level would commence following the consensus between the Federal Government and labor unions.
Alimi, urging patience, emphasized that the Osun State Government maintains a positive and cooperative working relationship with the labor movement within the state.
“The Federal Government just made the pronouncement. States will not immediately follow suit. All states will continue to engage their workers on the specifics of the wage award. Here, we have a good working relationship with labour,” Alimi said.
The NLC leadership in Osun State has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to endorse the N35,000 minimum wage award for all categories of workers in the state.
This request was conveyed in a letter dated October 6, 2023, jointly signed by the acting state chairman of the NLC, Modupe Oyedele, the TUC chairman, ‘Bimbo Fasasi, and the Joint Negotiating Council chairman, Lasun Akindele.
The letter obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday partly read, “The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress has directed all state councils to immediately engage their respective state governments in effecting the agreed sum of thirty five thousand Naira (#35,000) only wage rewards to all categories of workers across board in the state service.
“The Labour movement in the state is not in any way in doubt of Your Excellency’s kind disposition towards the workers in the state. We are confident that worker’s welfare is important and very dear to your heart.
“It is therefore in this spirit that we urge Your Excellency to graciously approve the agreed sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Naira (#35,000) only wage rewards to all categories of workers across board in the state service commencing from the month of September, 2023 as contained in the signed memorandum of understanding that averted the proposed strike.”
Upon inquiry, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Alimi, affirmed that “the government will indeed extend invitations to labor leaders for discussions regarding the matter.”
The Niger State Government has stated that it will discuss the proposed wage increase before making a decision. According to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mammam, “Niger State will deliberate on the issue. It was a statement made by the President, and as we all know, the governor of Niger State is not in the country.”
In Katsina State, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress chapters are scheduled to meet with Governor Dikko Radda to address the demands of workers in the state.
NEWS
JUST IN: Justice Adeyeye, Ekiti State’s CJ Passes On
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
ALSO READ: #EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Orders Release Of Detained Minors
The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
NEWS
BREAKING: Court Drops Charges Against 76 #EndBadGovernance Protesters
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
READ MORE: N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
NEWS
Fuel Pricing: PETROAN Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Monopoly
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
READ MORE: Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes
PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.